Histological and immunohistochemical study on the apical granuloma.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Periapical granuloma is one of the most frequent periodontal pathology and belongs to the group named as apical periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 78 of diagnosed granulomas, we selected samples that we analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: The histopathological aspect has been dominated by the presence of mononuclear cells of the lymphocyte and plasma cells type, showing the chronic aspect of the apical lesion. Also, we noticed that in the apical granuloma macrophages occur most often. This density of macrophages explains cellular and tissular disruption that occur in apical region of the tooth under the influence of bacterial flora that reached this area, as they have the role to phagocyte pathogens and cell and tissue residues that result from bacterial aggression. The reaction of the plasma cells, determined by their number, has been always associated with the age of the granulomas, and it is more intense in old, neglected granulomas, compared to recent granulomas. CONCLUSIONS: The number and type of immunity cells varies in the apical granuloma accordingly to the age of granuloma.